The other side of digital India: Exclusion, inequality and politics of access

The Digital India initiative promises to bridge divides and enhance governance, but in reality, it has deepened existing inequalities, especially for marginalized communities. At the Centre for Development Policy and Practice (CDPP) conference in Hyderabad on March 28, Osama Manzar of the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) highlighted the exclusionary effects of digital transitions. Many in rural India, lacking digital literacy, struggle to access basic services. While smartphone usage is widespread, digital access remains inequitable, with women, Dalits, Adivasis, and people with disabilities disproportionately excluded. The push for digital infrastructure overlooks human costs, creating systems that are inaccessible and dehumanizing. The digital divide is compounded by social and political factors like caste, gender, and geography. This paper advocates for a digital policy that treats digital rights as human rights, ensures last-mile connectivity, and prioritizes dignity, justice, and inclusivity—moving India from a digitally divided to a digitally inclusive nation.

Continue reading: https://www.siasat.com/the-other-side-of-digital-india-exclusion-inequality-and-politics-of-access-3205355/